Data Brokers and People-Search Sites
Data brokers collect and sell personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and relatives. What they collect, why it matters for scams and safety, and the routes to opt out or request deletion.
Search your own name online and you may find a site listing your address, phone number, age, relatives and past addresses, offered for a few dollars. These are people-search sites, part of a wider industry of data brokers that collect and trade personal information. That data helps scammers personalise their messages and can put people at risk of harassment.
What data brokers collect
- Names, ages and addresses, current and past
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Relatives and associates
- Property records and some court records, where public
- Purchase habits and interests from marketing data
Sources include public records, marketing lists, app data, loyalty schemes and other brokers. What is legal varies by country.
Why it matters
- Scams: real details make phishing and scam calls more believable. See how scammers get your number.
- Identity fraud: details help answer security questions and pass checks.
- Personal safety: addresses can be found by stalkers or abusive ex-partners.
How to reduce your listings
- Search your name, with your city, on major search engines, and note people-search sites that list you.
- Use each site's opt-out process, usually a form at the bottom of the site called "privacy" or "do not sell my information".
- Use your legal rights where they exist, such as data access and deletion rights under data protection law in the EU and UK, and state privacy laws in parts of the US.
- Repeat periodically, as listings can reappear.
- Share less at source: loyalty schemes, competitions and public profiles.
Use a separate email for opt-outs if you can, and do not hand over more personal information than a form needs.
If you are at risk of harm
If you are escaping abuse or being harassed, many countries have address confidentiality schemes or support services. Contact local domestic abuse or victim support organizations for help removing your information.
Got a call or message that knows a lot about you? Paste the message into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check. Knowing your details does not make someone genuine.
For more, see what to do after a data breach in our identity and account security guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a data broker?
A company that collects personal information from public records, purchases, apps and other sources, and sells or shares it, sometimes through people-search websites.
Can I remove my information?
Often, yes. Many people-search sites have opt-out forms, and privacy laws in some places give you rights to access or delete data. Removals may need repeating over time.
Are paid removal services worth it?
They can save time if you are listed on many sites. Check what they cover and how they handle your data, and be wary of services that ask for more information than needed.
Sources
- What To Know About People Search Sites That Sell Your Information, US Federal Trade Commission
- Data protection: information for individuals, European Commission
- Protect Your Personal Information From Hackers and Scammers, US Federal Trade Commission
